Railway front end structures



Nov. 6, 1956 EL. JOHNSON 2,769,555

RAILWAY FRONT END STRUCTURES Original Filed May 13, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. EWING L. JOHNSON FIG. 4. Q 15% BY ATTORNEY.

Nov. 6, 1956 E. JOHNSON 2,769,555

' RAILWAY FRONT END STRUCTURES Original Filed May 13, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORI EWING L. JOHNSON ATTORNI; Y.

Nov. 6, 1956 E. JOHNSON 2,769,555

RAILWAY FRONT END STRUCTURES Original Filed May 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 P60 62 63 INVENTOR EWlNG JOHNSON FIG. l7.

TTORNEY..

United States Patent C RAILWAY FRSNT END STRUCTURES Ewing L. Johnson, Yonkers, N. Y.

Cont nuation of abandoned application Serial No. 26,854, May 13, 1948. This application August 19, 1953, Serial No. 375,136

16 Claims. (Cl. 2136) The invention relates to railway rolling stock and more particularly to framing structure at the forward end of a locomotive which usually includes a pilot and carries a coupler and may mount a draft gear for the coupler and also mount other equipment. This application is a continuation of my co-pending application Serial No. 26,854, filed May 13, 1948, for Railway Front End structure, which application will now be permitted to lapse without prejudice in view of its being superseded by this present invention (abandoned September 11, 1953). The invention may be embodied best in a single casting forming the complete front end of the locomotive frame and including the pilot, pockets for the coupler, draft gear, steam piping, etc., or the invention may be embodied in something less than such complete framing and take the form of a rigid brace adapted to be connected to a main frame and to a pilot front wall independently of the coupler and draft gear pockets.

The main object of the invention is to provide a stout backing for the lower portion of the pilot, so that it will deflect obstacles on the track that would be struck, and to reduce the likelihood of the locomotive being put out of service by striking obstacles, or by collision with motor vehicles at railway crossings, or through similar accidents, or, in the event of serious damage to the front end, to provide for ready repair without necessarily replacing main framing members of the locomotive.

This and other detail objects of the invention are obtained by the structure shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a top view of a locomotive front end constnlction embodying the invention and showing some equipment carried thereby; the figures showing adjacent framing in dot-and-dash lines.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are vertical longitudinal sections taken on the lines 3-3 and 4-4, respectively of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a front view of the construction shown in Figure 1-3.

Figure 6 is a substantially horizontal section taken on the lines 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figures 7 and 8 are vertical transverse sections taken on the lines 77 and 83, respectively, of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 99 of Figure 1.

Figure 19 is a top view of a front end bracing member embodying another form of the invention and adapted for application to a structural steel framing and pilot member. Some of the structure to which the brace is applied is indicated in dot-and dash lines.

Figure 11 is a front view of the construction shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a side view looking in the direction of the arrow 12 in Figure 10.

Figures 13 and 14 are vertical longitudinal sections taken on the corresponding section lines of Figure 10.

Figures 15 and 16 are detail vertical longitudinal sec- 2,769,555 Patented Nov. 6, 1956 ice tions taken on the corresponding section lines of Figure 11.

Figure 17 is a horizontal section taken on the line 17-17 of Figure 11.

The construction shown in Figures 1-9 comprises a narrow, shallow rear framing portion 1 and a relatively wide and deep forward portion 2. Rear portion 1 includes top and bottom horizontal webs 3 and 4 and vertical side webs 5 forming a shallow box section with projecting flanges 6 well adapted to be secured to the locomotive main framing members, indicated at 7, by an overlapping or an abutting fit. Webs 5 have extensions 8 which cooperate with intermediate vertical webs 9 and with web 4, to provide a pocket receiving the draft gear indicated at 10, pivotally connected at K to a coupler-mounting link 19 Forwardly of the draft gear pocket the casting is widened andrfurther deepened to form a pilot having front Wall structure 11, side walls 12 and a top wall 13. Webs 5, 8 diverge and are deepened farther at 14 and merge with the front wall structure 11. Webs 14 are offset at 14a and 14b to accommodate the laterally swinging link 19 and coupler 20. A transverse vertical web 15 extends between the spaced webs 14-.

Between the draft gear pocket and the front wall structure is a stirrup-like web 17, depending from horizontal web 4 and connected to webs 14a by a rib 16. Member 17 mounts a spring device D which supports link 19 and coupler 2h. The coupler may pivot on pin 21 which connects it to link 19, from the horizontal position shown in dot-dash lines in Figures 1, 2, and 3 to a dropped or retracted position, as indicated in full lines in Figures 2, 3 and 5. A locking pin may be inserted through the coupler shank and the forward end of link 19, as at 22 in Figure 2 to hold the coupler in horizontal position, or may be inserted through the coupler shank and beneath the forward end of link 19, as at 22a in Figure 3, to hold the coupler in dropped position, or it may be inserted through the link (as at 22 in Figure 2) but above the dropped coupler shank. The rear end of the coupler shank has a counterbalance 20a to facilitate manually shifting the coupler between its two positions, and the pocket top web 4 is recessed at in to provide a recess for the counterbalance when it is moved upwardly about its pivot 21.

With this structure there is combined a narrow, shallow rear framing portion, for joining to the locomotive main frame, a much wider and deeper forward portion for engaging obstacles, and including pockets for the drop coupler and for the usual steam and air piping 23 (Figure 5), and an intermediate portion forming a pocket for the draft gear and its connection to the coupler. While the contours of these sections are offset at intervals, they constitute essentially diagonal bracing from the pilot wide deep front wall structure to the narrow, shallow locomotive underframe spaced substantially from the front wall structure.

The lower portion of the front wall structure has a wide gap to accommodate the steam piping 23 when it is projected forwardly for connection to an adjacent vehicle. This portion of the pilot is braced by a pivoted bar 28 as described in Patent No. 2,519,944, issued August 22, 1950, upon Railway Pilot Structure.

In the event of a collision, the shock will be transmitted and dispersed in a manner which will minimize damage to the locomotive front end and its equipment. The casting walls may be made as light or heavy and varied in depth as may be required, and may be re-enforced by itself extends forwardly to, a pilot contour sheet 52. The

bracing unit 50 underlies the coupler C, the draft gear D to which it is pivoted at N, and the pocket provided therefor in frame 51. Unit 50 may be secured to the'locomotive frame 51 by welding at W, and elsewhere, and it includes a front web 53, longitudinal members 54 and diagonal members 55. Members 54 are substantially aligned vertically with the built-up frame members 71. The forward ends of diagonal members 55, at the extreme sides of the pilot, are secured to the lower ends of tubular struts 72 bracing the pilot from the locomotive frame. The rear ends of members 54 and 55 merge with the transverse rear member 56 of the casting. Members 54 and 55 are substantially deeper at the front or righthand end of the casting than at the rear or left-hand end, and the whole structure comprises a .unit with a narrow and shallow rear framing portion and a relatively wide,

deep front portion well adapted to brace the pilot front wall from a portion of the locomotive frame spaced at substantial distance rearwardly of the pilot front wall.

tions of said obstacle-deflecting pilot member generally diagonally rearwardly, upwardly and inwardly to said main framing elements at points on the latter rearwardly of said coupler and draft gear-receiving pocket, whereby said obstacle-deflecting pilot member is braced from said main framing members at pointsrearwardly of draft gear which may be mounted in the pocket.

2. In a railway locomotive front end'construc'tion unit,

main locomotive framing elements forming a box-like shallow rear portion, a relatively deeper and wider front ally from said rear portion and forming a pilot front J deflecting frame for diverting obstacles on the track, said throughout the central portion of the pilot and at each side thereof and is braced by a horizontal web 57 ofvarying depth. Vertical webs 58 and 59 extend transversely of the casting from each side thereof and merge with elements 53 and 54. Web 58 is apertured at 60 to accommodate steam and air piping, indicated at P, which must be extended through the pilot for connection to an adjacent vehicle. In front of this aperture, wall 53 is cut away forming a pocket 61 for the piping. Webs 53, 57, 58 and 59 form angular sections extending from side to side of the casting to adequately brace the structure. Shelves 62 and 63 at opposite sides of the piping pocket serve to support the piping when extended and when retracted as shown in Figure 10. s

The front end constructions of the present invention, as described above, thus comprise wide front portions and a narrow rear portions which are substantially spaced from each other; said rear portions being relatively narrow and connected to the front portions by diagonally presented bracing members. The force of impacts upon the front end constructions, such as by obstacles on the track, will be transmitted along the bracing members to the narrow rear portions. Consequently, the front end portion is strongly backed and re-enforced so that the lower portions of the pilot would resist any tendency to bend inwardly and downwardly or to be forced to the rail when a heavy obstacle is encountered.

Both of the above described arrangements attain the general objectives of the invention set forth in the introductory portion of the specification and other embodiments may include deeper, heavier or longer sills and webs for accommodating different types of draft gear, such, for example, as American Association of Railroads standard in which there is no pivotal movement of the draft gear in a vertical plane asshown. in the present drawings, or including the types of couplers or other variations in the parts described without departing from the spirit of the invention. The exclusive use of those modifications coming within the scope of the claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a railway locomotive front end construction unit,

main longitudinal framing elements forming an elongated pocket for receiving a draft gear and an associated coupler, a front structure depending from said framing members and including parts projecting forwardly and laterally outwardly therefrom, and constituting an obstacle-deflecting pilot member, said front end structure including elements extending from the outer lower porfront portion including members forming walls of a coupler receiving compartment, and additional elements extending from between the outer and lower parts of said pilot front frame to said shallow rear portion and including parts forminga draft gear receiving pocket, the front deflecting frame member being provided with a recess for receiving a coupler, there being a yoke-like structure spaced rearwardly from said deflecting member'for supporting the coupler in operation position, and rigid elements integral with said deflecting portion and yoke-like structure and directly bracing them from each other.

3. An integral cast unit comprising a railway front end framing and pilot and having spaced apart vertical webs and transverse elements between them, all of said elements extending longitudinally and forming a centrally disposed forwardly open box-like draft gear and coupler receiving pocket, obstacle-deflecting structure positioned forwardly, laterally, and downwardly, of the said pocket-forming elements, and additional vertical elements and portions of said transverse elements forming braces extending diagonally between apart of the unit rearwardly of said pocket-forming elements and the wider forward parts of said obstacle-deflecting structure at the front of the unit, said elements being of greater crosssectional area at their forward ends than at their rear ends and bracing and supporting said obstacle-deflecting structure from top to bottom. 7

4. An integral cast unit comprising a railway front end' framing and pilot and having centrally disposed vertical members and transverse members between them, said member extending longitudinally and forming a forwardly open box-like draft gear and coupler receiving pocket, and front portions forming obstacle-deflecting structure projecting forwardly and downwardly from said centrally disposed members and extending laterally and rearwardly of. the sides thereof to points spaced out-' ments arranged for mounting a'draft gear and coupler, a

pilot front member in front of and belowsaid elements, and a separate bracing structure for said front member applicable to said elements and member and positioned below said elements and extending from said' front member rearwardly of said elements and then upwardly and there connected to said framing. 1

6. .A railway locomotive front end construction as described in claim 1 in which the front end structure includes a yoke-like member spaced rearwardly from the obstacle-deflecting member for supporting a coupler in opera tion position in the pocket therefor, and rigid elements integral with said obstacle-deflecting portion and yokelike member and directly bracing them from each other.

,7. A railway locomotive front end construction as described in claim 1 which includes a stirrup-like member intermediate the opposite ends of the elongated pocket, there being rigid connections between said stirrup-like member and the obstacle-deflecting member.

8. In a railway locomotive front end construction, framing members, and a rigid one-piece unit of cast metal of fan-like top contour having a narrow and shallow rear portion, underlying said members, and having a relatively wider and deeper forward portion forming a pilot front obstacle-deflecting member, there being elements extending from the outer lower portions of said forward portion upwardly and rearwardly in a generally diagonal direction to said narrow and shallow rear portion, whereby the obstacle-deflecting member is braced from said rear portion.

9. A locomotive front end construction as described in claim 1 in which the center portion of the obstacledeflecting member is recessed inwardly at one side of its center portion to form a pocket for receiving steam and air piping.

10. In a locomotive front end construction, frame elements including parts forming a pocket for receiving a draft gear and coupler, a pilot front contour member extending forwardly and downwardly from said elements, and a separate bracing structure for said front contour member applicable to said elements and member and positioned below said elements and extending from said front member diagonally rearwardly and upwardly to said frame elements and being connected to said frame elements adjacent to the rear of said parts, whereby impact forces are transmitted direct to said frame elements at points rearwardly of said pocket. V

11. An integral cast unit comprising a railway front end framing and pilot and having a narrow box-like rear structure and including web-like longitudinals forming the sides of a centrally disposed, forwardly open, narrow draft gear and coupler receiving pocket, obstacle-deflecting structure at the forward ends of said longitudinals extending downwardly from the level of said pocket and transversely beyond the planes of said longitudinals, and additional web-like elements forming braces extending from the lower outer portions of said obstacle-deflecting structure in directions generally diagonally rearwardly, inwardly and upwardly to said box-like rear structure, said additional web-like elements being of greater depth at their forwards ends than at their rear ends and bracing and supporting said obstacle-deflecting structure.

12. An integral cast unit comprising a railway front end framing and pilot and having vertical members and horizontal members forming a forwardly open box-like draft gear and coupler receiving pocket, there being a front portion forming obstacle-deflecting structure projecting forwardly and downwardly and laterally of the forward ends of said members to engage and divert any obstacle on the track, and web-like elements extending generally diagonally from a part of the casting rearwardly of said pocket to the outer parts of said front portion, said web-like elements being of greater cross-sectional area at their forward ends than at their rear ends and bracing and supporting said obstacle-deflecting structure from top to bottom from the rear part of said unit.

13. In a railway locomotive front end construction, framing members, and a rigid one-piece unit of cast metal of fan-like top contour having a narrow and shallow rear portion, underlying said members, and having a relatively wider and deeper forward portion forming a pilot front deflecting member, the narrow and shallow rear portion forming the walls of a draft gear pocket, their being elements extending from the outer lower portions of said forward portion upwardly and rearwardly to said narrow and shallow rear portion.

14. In a railway locomotive front end construction elements forming a narrow box-like shallow rear portion,

there being a relatively deeper and wider front portion extending forwardly and downwardly and laterally from said rear portion and forming a pilot front member for diverting obstacles on the track and including members forming walls of a coupler receiving compartment, elements in addition to said members bracing the outer and lower parts of said pilot front member from said shallow rear portion, the center portion of said pilot front memher being substantially uninterrupted from top to bottom and being recessed inwardly at one side of its center portion to form a pocket for receiving steam and air piping.

15. A locomotive front end structure unit comprising an upright web forming an obstacle-deflecting pilot member, and upright webs spaced apart lengthwise of said pilot member web and extending rearwardly and upwardly from said pilot member web in a direction generally inclined to the horizontal, whereby the outer parts of said pilot member web may be braced substantially throughout their height from relatively higher level locomotive framing.

16. A rigid cast metal unit for application to the forward portion of a railway locomotive frame, comprising a substantially upright obstacle-deflecting forward web, and an elongated upright bracing web extending substantially the full height of said forward web and rearwardly therefrom for attachment to the locomotive framing at points remote from said forward web, the lower portion of the bracing web being inclined upwardly towards the rear end of the bracing web to form a diagonal brace between the lower portion of the forward web and the locomotive framing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 553,340 Heideberg Ian. 21, 1896 653,075 Dunn July 3, 1900 2,179,789 Hoke Nov. 14, 1939 2,209,229 Kjolseth July 23, 1940 2,239,427 Kjolseth Apr. 22, 1941 2,266,303 Blomberg Dec. 16, 1941 2,619,235 Ainsworth Nov. 25, 1952 2,632,572 Gilchrist Mar. 24, 1953 

